York is set to host a landmark cultural moment as actor, writer and artist Joseph Gilgun has chosen York for his first-ever public art installation.
Known for TV shows and films like Brassic, This Is England and Pride, Gilgun’s fine-art career is rapidly evolving with exhibitions over the past year in three independent UK galleries – now York will see his debut public art installation.
The large-scale, free-to-view artwork is called ‘Talk Small’, presented at Spark York and created in collaboration with The Art of Protest Gallery in York.
The installation can be viewed at SPARK now and is complimented by a new exhibition of Gilgun’s framed artwork at The Art of Protest Gallery, Walmgate which opened yesterday (Friday).
Tom McKenzie, one of Spark’s founders, said: “Joe’s affinity for the North of the UK is deeply rooted in his personal history and creative identity.
“His recent work, focussing on his own struggles with mental health and raising awareness of the issue is sadly very pertinent for so many people right now.
“It’s our purpose as a creative space in York to champion this kind of powerful and expressive work, and to help raise awareness for a vital issue. We’re completely honoured to host this striking and important piece of public art.”
Much of Gilgun’s creative output, whether on canvas, screen or in immersive public form, is inseparable from his lived experience with bipolar disorder, anxiety, BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) and periods of depression.
Craig Humble, who has led Art of Protest Gallery over the past eight years in York, said “Joe has often described art as a form of catharsis that attempts to process the realities, fears and frustrations that accompany managing mental health conditions.
“This is Joe’s first public installation where he hopes to channel the turbulence, humour, shame, resilience and fierce defiance that have shaped his life and work. It stands as both an emotionally charged visual statement and a bold piece of outsider art; authentic, vulnerable and unmistakably his.”
The Art of Protest Gallery holds a permanent collection of Gilgun’s work, including original paintings and signed limited-edition pieces.
